Community Team Year in Review 2018/2019
August 2019
Engaging
Connecting
Informing
Empowering
a Stronger, Safer, More Vibrant District
Contents Introduction............................................................ 2 Mayor and Chief Executive Message............... 3 Top Five Achievements for 2018/19................. 4 The Waimakariri Way.......................................... 6 Financial Year Results.......................................... 9 Progress against our Four Operational Pillars Engage...................................................................10 Connect..................................................................12 Inform....................................................................18 Empower...............................................................24 2019/2020: Looking Forward...........................32 Acknowledgements.............................................33
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Introduction Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai Many hands make light work. - Unity is strength. Our work is to: • Engage with our community so that we can capture its views, imagination, skills, experience and ideas • Inform people about significant relevant issues and opportunities that affect the lives of our residents
Tessa Sturley Community Team Manager While this report documents the work of the Waimakariri District Council Community Team, it also celebrates the incredible contribution of the various communities that make up the Waimakariri District. This is a great community in which to get a bunch of like-minded people together, to roll up their sleeves and get things done. This can see, for example, a contracting company, a mental health provider and a service club working together in an unlikely, but extremely successful context. Such collaboration results in an incredible array of community-led initiatives. This exemplifies the value of collective wisdom, ability and talent. As a team of Council-based facilitators, we work with the people from these communities to help make stuff happen. We are open eyes, listening ears and willing hands to support the community.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
• Connect people, groups and organisations with others who can help to address those issues and opportunities • Encourage people and organisations to come together and empower them with the skills, information and resources they need, collectively translating their ideas into action. We can then acknowledge and celebrate, with our community, the great work they have done.
This report is part of that celebration. I always enjoy pulling this report together! We hope you enjoy seeing all that you as a community have achieved over the 12-month period, ending 30 June 2019. With support from us.
Message from the Mayor
Message from the Chief Executive
The Waimakariri District Council has consistently demonstrated its commitment to community wellbeing through its vision, “to pursue with the community a high quality physical and social environment, safe communities, and a healthy economy.”
I am pleased to endorse this Year in Review report. Its content details the results of the communityled, collaborative work of the Community Team in conjunction with a variety of local and national stakeholders in Community Safety, Community Development and Youth Development.
The Community Team focuses on Community Safety, Community Development and Youth Development. In line with the Council’s vision, they apply a collaborative approach to facilitating stronger, safer and vibrant communities across our District. This report documents the key achievements of the Community Teams’ work with a variety of partners in the community. The Waimakariri District Council is proud of these achievements and we are committed to continuing to make community wellbeing a priority in this District.
The documented results show the value of this approach and the outcomes that are possible when community workers, community volunteers, government and non-government agencies and the Council staff all work together on projects that enhance the quality of life for people living in the Waimakariri District.
David Ayers Mayor
Jim Palmer Chief Executive
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Top Five Achievements for 2018/19 In last year’s report, we listed a number of priorities for the 2017/18 year. Our top five for this year align with a few of those:
Supporting and strengthening the local youth sector to address key issues The release of the Youth Strategy at the end of 2018 has resulted in increased opportunity to engage the local youth services and support sector in discussions about key issues affecting local young people. Our Youth Development Facilitator has subsequently taken a lead in re-energising the North Canterbury Youth Services Network and facilitating opportunities to frame a response to some key issues affecting local young people. This includes employment and youth friendly places and spaces.
Empowering young people
Age-friendly plan development Forecasts from Statistics NZ and research completed by Council in 2014, “Addressing the Implications of an Ageing Population: A Discussion Document”, highlighted some challenges and opportunities associated with our ageing population.
Engaging with older people
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
The development of an Age-friendly Waimakariri Plan, has provided a framework around which we can plan to address gaps and opportunities to ensure that, as our District demographics change, local older people can live active, productive and happy lives.
Supporting and empowering migrants A migrant-led approach continues, resulting in the development and delivery of a range of intiatives that foster inclusion and empower migrants to more easily integrate into our communities. These have included events, English Language classes, workshops or cultural competency education. Increasing support for Migrant Group initiatives reflects the value of this work.
Neighbourhood development park events The Community Team partnered with Greenspace Team colleagues to deliver a series of nine neighbourhood barbeques, held in various parks across the District. These were very well received with neighbours making new connections. Staff observed conversations between people who realised that they live down the road from each other and had never really met. Survey evaluations highlighted the value that residents place on knowing their neighbours; however the 2018 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey highlighted that only 55% of Waimakariri residents felt a sense of community with others in their neighbourhood. There is more work to be done to enhance connection between residents in our growing and changing neighbourhoods.
Informing
migrants
Significant increase in provision and support for family violence prevention education Canterbury is over-represented in statistics for Family Violence. This issue has a significant impact on the whole community. Violence Free North Canterbury has delivered 14 Family Violence Education talks, tailored appropriately to a range of audiences from the general public to education, health and social service professionals. The number of talks is three times more than what was delivered last year and uptake has been excellent. Family violence prevention education is crucial in raising awareness of the indicators and contributing factors related to family violence. Importantly, it equips people to ask the difficult questions and to know how and where to refer people to get help.
Connecting neighbors
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The Waimakariri Way Creating And Maintaining Strong, Connected Vibrant Communities The Waimakariri District has been accredited to the World Health Organisation approved ‘International Safe Community’ model since 1999, when it was the second community in New Zealand to achieve such status. The Community Team works under the umbrella of the Council to facilitate an evidence-based, community-led approach to foster safe, resilient communities so that “Waimakariri is a District where people are thriving.”- Waimakariri District Council Community Development Strategy 2015-2025. Through its various working parties, project coalitions and steering groups, the Community Team has established and maintains an in-depth working knowledge of the Waimakariri District. This includes physical, socio-economic and environmental factors that affect the quality of life of our residents. Collaborating with over 300 community, business, education, government and non-government stakeholders, the Community Team facilitates a community-led approach in three key areas: • Safe communities • Youth development • Community development. This work actively contributes to the Council’s Long Term Plan community outcomes. We strive to ensure that our community: • Is inclusive to all • Have their social and health needs met • Are provided with a safe environment for all • Have citizens that are informed and able to contribute to local, regional and national decision-making.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Four operational pillars frame this work. These are to: • Engage: Engage key stakeholders to enhance community development, youth development and community safety • Connect: Facilitate connection across the community; between residents, groups and organisations • Inform: Cultivate a more informed community • Empower: Empower the community to identify and achieve its aspirations.
A broad-spectrum approach Local responses are developed collaboratively, in line with the internationally recognised Spectrum of Prevention’. This applies a broad-spectrum approach to creating and maintaining strong, connected vibrant communities, therefore increasing the likelihood of a lasting change. Figure 1, opposite, shows how this translates into community-led safety in the Waimakariri District. It details a number of initiatives developed over the past 10 years, out of the various networks and collaborations facilitated by the Community Team.
Figure 1: Spectrum of Prevention applied to Community Safety and Wellbeing in the Waimakariri District - Larry Cohen, Prevention Institute. Spectrum of prevention – creating safer, happier, healthier, resilient communities Level of spectrum
Solid Base of Information
Strengthen Individual Knowledge/Skills
Promoting Community Education
Educating Providers
Fostering Coalitions and Networks
Changing Organisational Practices
Influencing Policy and Legislation
Local application Local and national data, academic studies and local knowledge including: • Statistics NZ, Coronial Service, HPA, CDHB, MOH, MOJ, MSD, MYD • Canterbury Wellbeing and Youth Wellbeing surveys and indexes • Waimakariri District Council Community Surveys • Our own formative surveys and consultations • Anecdotal evidence identified through our various networks. Via local printed and social media and interactive displays, E.g.: • Take Time Before You Climb - Falls Prevention Campaign • How Much How Often - Paracetamol campaign • Teddy Stays out of Trouble - Child Safety Campaign • Local adaptation of White Ribbon and It’s not OK initiatives. Locally developed community education initiatives: • Mind fit • Recognise, Respond and Refer • Parenting Teens The Good, the Bad and the Ugly • Parents as Role Models • Inspired Retired • Down the Back Paddock rural school safety programme • Facilitation of nationally recognised experts presenting locally. Facilitation of professional development opportunities for social, health, education and community support providers: • Family Violence Education workshops • Pornography • AEIOU and QPR Suicide Prevention Training • Cultural Competency Education for local employers and health and social support providers • Various family violence prevention workshops. Establishment and facilitation in the following collaborative groups: • Social Services Waimakariri • Waimakariri Health Advisory Groups • Violence Free North Canterbury • Waimakariri Safe Community Steering group • WaiLife Suicide Prevention Action Group • Waimakariri Age-friendly Steering Group • Waimakariri Alcohol Reference Group • Waimakariri Migrants and Newcomers Steering Group • Waimakariri Volunteer Sector Support Working Group • North Canterbury Youth Services Network. • The development of a Plan Your Night Courtesy Van Programme with local licensees • Facilitation of the establishment of a Family Support Worker for Men, based with Aviva North Canterbury so that perpetrators were empowered toward change • Facilitation of increased cross-referral and collaboration between food banks. • Promoting submission processes around law reform and encouraging and supporting the community to make use of the submission process for both local and national consultations.
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Benefits of a community-based, facilitated response The International Safe Communities model has proven that a locally informed, collaborative community-led approach provides the most effective and sustainable outcomes in facilitating safe, happy, healthy and resilient communities. Local facilitation is essential in identifying and facilitating best practice models to address priorities. These things don’t just happen, they need someone to pull the strings, make the connections and facilitate action. Such functions sit outside the capacity (and often capability) of already stretched service providers. The facilitator role is: • Properly scope what the issues are, specific to our community • Work with the experts and research proven models for intervention, and then apply local knowledge to ensure relevant and effective outcomes • Ensure that there is appropriate reach for resources, education and community supports • Apply local knowledge to identify and work with the right partners to ensure that we achieve this reach • Ensure that the right connections and support mechanisms are in place to support and empower those at risk and those affected, including individuals and organisations • Develop good, locally relevant social marketing to raise awareness
Central Government priorities
Regional Strategies
Local Response
Safe Resilient Communities
Strategic alignment with Regional and Central Government priorities In line with this work, the Waimakariri District Council Community Team maintains a number of strategic regional and national partnerships. The alignment of the Waimakariri response with regional strategies and Central Government priorities ensures that wider research and proven resources and models adds to planning for local responses. It also translates Central Government priorities into action to address those priorities. This translates into increased reach as more stakeholders are brought into community-led, collaborative responses. The significant number of partner hours and/or dollars generated turns into a return on funder investment of at least double in terms of capacity and reach.
• Ensure that we are making a difference, rather than just being well intentioned.
International alignment - UN sustainable development goals This work aligns with eight of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. “The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middleincome – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.”
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
Financial Year Results The following report details a summary of results against Waimakariri Community Development Strategy Performance Measures, along with an overview of key outputs and achievements for the Team over the 2018/19 financial year against the four strategic goals for the strategy.
Community development strategy 2015 – 2025 • Mission: Facilitating stronger, safer, vibrant communities • Vision: Waimakariri is a District where people are thriving • Strategic Goals: To engage, to connect to inform and to empower the Waimakariri community. Population indicator results:
The work of the Community team contributed to these measures. Goal
Indicator
Benchmark*
Target 2025
Result 2018/19
Connect
Percentage of respondent households involved in recreation, arts and cultural, school, church, community, sports or service groups/organisations.
40%
65%
60%
Inform
Percentage of respondent households satisfied with the information about what is going on in the District.
30%
55%
85%
*Waimakariri District Council New Dwellings Survey, 2014. **Population Indicator results are taken from the Waimakariri District Council Community Survey Report 2019.
Performance indicator results 2017/18:
These are specifically measurable as outcomes directly attributed to the work of the Community Team. Goal Engage
Connect
Inform
Empower
Indicator
Benchmark*
Total number of partners supporting Community Development, Youth Development and Community Safety initiatives.
Target 2025
Result 2018/19
300
≥ 300
Achieved
Number of groups that connect residents or organisations, supported by the Community Team.
12
≥ 12
15
Evidence of Community Team Support for the development of new groups that facilitate community connection.
N/A
≥8
6
Facebook page following.
1,789
1,800
2,936
Monthly hits on Community page of Waimakariri District Council website.
2,800
≥ 3000
Exceeded (Typically over
Number of community groups contributing to Chatter monthly community information newsletter each year.
150
≥ 150
Achieved
Number of new Community-led initiatives developed with support from the Community Team.
N/A
≥ 10
10,000)
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*Waimakariri District Council Performance Measures 2014/15.
Progress against these goals is detailed on the following pages…
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Engage Engaging with people, groups and organisations What did we do? In 2019/20 the team maintained relationships with over 300 local, regional and national partners covering the government, non-government, community and business sectors. How well did we do it?
Maintained connections in the local government, health, education, social service, business and grassroots community sectors, including staff involvement and/or facilitation on the following networks: • Social Services Waimakariri • Waimakariri Health Advisory Group • Violence Free North Canterbury • Waimakariri Access Group • Waimakariri Migrants and Newcomers Group • Waimakariri Suicide Prevention Steering Group • Waimakariri Youth Services Network • Community Networking forums • Volunteering North Canterbury Steering Group • Active Canterbury • Healthy Greater Christchurch Steering Group • Leadership in Communities (LinC) Steering Group • Canterbury Family Violence Collaboration • Eldercare Canterbury • Christchurch Multicultural Council • National Safe Community Review working party • INFoRM network of Refugee and Migrant Service Providers • Office of Ethnic Communities-led networking meetings • Pan Pacific Safe Community Board.
Engaging with the migrant sector
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
Broad local, regional and national engagement provides increased opportunity to enhance the wellbeing of Waimakariri residents. More people to do the work and fund the work, so that community aspirations are more easily achievable.
Key new developments, 2018/19 How well did we do it?
Local Media Community Team staff facilitated extensive newspaper coverage for local priorities and initiatives related to Community Development, Safety and Wellbeing, including Youth Development. Funding Sector • Increased staff representation at annual funders’ hui • Acquired Creative Communities funding for Migrant Group Suitcase Exhibition • Facilitated a relationship with funding advisors from Office for Seniors. Business Sector • Developed a relationship with Canterbury Safety Charter, resulting in provision of ‘Toolbox Talks on Suicide’ • Good local business sector representation at Family Violence Talks • Strong business sector support for ‘Living Well in Waimakariri’ expo, resulting in an identified opportunity for increased business representation and therefore less of a need to acquire funding for future events • Broad local business sponsorship to support Skate Jam, All Night Party and Centre Stage • Support from Enterprise North Canterbury for Cultural Competency Education for local employers of migrant workers. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tuāhuriri • In addition to ongoing support for Healthy Day at the Pa, staff have increased engagement with Ngāi Tuāhuriri through their work in Community Development Youth Development, Civil Defence and with the Migrants group, through the facilitation of bi-cultural training for members
Is anyone better off?
• Government and non-government agencies • Broad engagement through the Safe Community forum, held in May 2019 to inform priorities for the International Safe Community reaccreditation of our District • Relationship re-established with Rural Support Trust to increase capacity in addressing rural suicide • Local working relationship with Age Concern Canterbury to enhance older persons’ safety and wellbeing initiatives • Facilitated increased profile for Plunket Child Safety; including encouraging that organisation to co-lead the planning and delivery of ‘Teddy Stays out of Trouble.’ Grassroots Community Broad engagement in the development of the Age-friendly Waimakariri Plan. Elected members • Engagement with Matt Doocey MP with respect to migrants, older persons’ and youth development priorities • Increased engagement with elected members through Agefriendly consultation process and Neighbourhood Park events, both of which included significant support from local Councillors and Community Board members.
Increased profile for local stories related to the needs and aspirations of local people; and how these are being met. Evidence of a highly collaborative approach is desirable to funders. Community initiatives are better resourced. There is increased reach for education about key local issues. Locally developed initiatives are evidence-based and relevant to effected residents. There is broader understanding across Council of the importance of engaging with the people. This results in an increased ‘customer focus’ across the organisation.
Other Council Departments Increased collaboration with other Council teams; particularly Greenspace, Libraries and Policy and Strategy, through the Age Friendly Project, Youth Development skate park redevelopment, Neighbourhood Park initiatives, and Migrants Group initiatives.
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Connect Connecting with people What did we do? Encouraged and supported networks that foster collaboration between groups and services. How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Facilitated nine community group and organisation networking fora, held in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Oxford. Typically, between 20 and 40 people attended. • Active involvement in Social Services Waimakariri . • Facilitation of Waimakariri Health Advisory Group meetings and relevant communication. • Facilitation of the Violence Free North Canterbury Network and its initiatives. • Active involvement in the Community House Steering Group • Support for the Waimakariri Access Group and its work to create a more accessible Waimakariri District. • Facilitation of a variety of collaborative working parties to address community issues, including: –– Suicide Prevention Steering Group –– Migrants and Newcomers Steering Group –– Supporting the Volunteer Sector Working Party –– TimeBank Waimakariri Steering Group –– Waimakariri Age-friendly Steering Group.
People working in the health, social education and community sectors can network, identify and review trends, share ideas and identify opportunities to work collaboratively. Collaboration of agencies through networks like Social Services Waimakariri and Waimakariri Health Advisory Group resulting in better local social and health service provision. Developed a broad range of community-led initiatives to address injury, suicide, alcohol-related harm, family violence and suicide; and enhancing connection across the community.
Connecting neighbours
Connecting youth leaders
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Connecting with people
What did we do? Encouraged and supported volunteering as a means to connect residents into the life of the community How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Supported the launch and resourcing for TimeBank Waimakariri. To enhance this initiative, two shared learning workshops were held, with a view to developing a similar programme to Hurunui TimeBank’s successful Learning Exchange.
People in our community have more opportunities connect and share skills.
• Worked with Volunteer Canterbury to facilitate local provision of training for organisations.
Volunteer involving organisations are better able to attract and retain volunteers. Several organisations reported receiving extra volunteer enquiries following particular promotions.
• Promoted volunteering at local events including Winter Festival. • Disseminated information about volunteering opportunities via a range of on-line, social and printed media. • Coordinated a volunteering celebration and opportunities display at local libraries.
Organisations report that they are better resourced with additional volunteers.
What did we do? Supported Residents and Community Associations How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Continued to support Pegasus, Woodend and Cust Residents/ Community Associations with advice and support around process, events planning, funding and promotion.
Support for residents in identifying and addressing issues and opportunities to connect or enhance the community. For example linking them with advice and/or support from other Council departments.
Connecting older people
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Connecting with people
Connecting youth
What did we do? Provided and promoted opportunities for groups of people to connect How well did we do it?
• The Community Trailer was utilised for 22 neighbourhood and community events. This was 15 events up on last year’s total. • The Community Team ran nine neighbourhood park initiatives over summer and autumn in collaboration with the Greenspace Team and Neighbourhood Support North Canterbury. Total attendance at Neighbourhood Park events was 380. • WaiYouth facilitated four events for local young people: –– Skate Jam –– Centre Stage 3 –– All Night Party –– All Right Amble.
Is anyone better off?
There has been a significant increase in the number and variety of events enabling people to connect with each other. Residents given the opportunity to have their voice heard with respect to the potential use of local parks and to meet and connect with their neighbours. Local young people had more opportunities to connect with others.
What did we do? Worked with developing subdivisions to encourage them to create opportunities for connection How well did we do it?
• Provided Welcome Packs and other community information to developers at Ravenswood and Silverstream subdivisions. • Supported the developer at Silverstream subdivision to hold activities to connect new residents. • Distributed Know Your Neighbours flyers and fridge notes to encourage connection in two new Rangiora subdivisions.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
People in developing subdivisions informed about the services and opportunities available to them as new Waimakariri residents.
Key Project
Connecting and empowering migrants Partners: Newcomers Network, Citizens Advice Bureau, Person to Person Help Trust, Alpha Phi Omega SI Group (Filipino), Office of Ethnic Communities, Oxford Community Trust, Hellers Ltd, Waimakariri Libraries, Oxford Community Trust, local ESOL Teacher, Methodist Church, Ministry of Social Development, Immigration NZ, Department of Internal Affairs, Christchurch Resettlement Services, Network Waitangi Otautahi, Interpreting Canterbury, Hagley Community College, Te Runanga o Ngai Tuahuriri, Kaiapoi Community Garden and Presbyterian Support. What did we do? Facilitated opportunities to empower and support the needs of migrants How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Weekly English language classes, continued in Rangiora, with 20 attendees from Fiji, Argentina, Germany, Peru, Russia, Afghanistan, Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, China, Japan, the Philippines, Colombia, India, Switzerland, France, Thailand and Croatia. New classes added to cater to for the needs of beginner and intermediate level students, along with those preparing to sit IELTS English language proficiency test, for immigration and employment purposes. • Migrant Information Workshops included: –– One Renting and Tenancy Workshop –– Three Employment Expos, including representation from employment agencies, local employers and educational institutions. Peak attendance was 300. • Cooking classes were popular, with 22 people from a variety of ethnicities who came together weekly with a shared desire to learn to cook our local produce. Demand is growing for these with classes booked out. • Planning is underway to develop a Driver Licencing Programme targeted particularly at non-driving migrants and their partners. • Philippines Embassy Passport Service provision was set up at Rangiora Town Hall over a five day period, incorporating ethnic food stalls and featuring a Filipino language movie. Approximately 900 Filipino migrants participated. Council provided free swimming pool entry for participants and flew the Philippines flag for the five days. Migrants and Newcomers Group members actively supported planning and delivery.
Non-English speaking migrants can connect and practice their English in a relaxed context. Friendships are starting to develop out of these classes. Migrants are better informed and empowered to address their needs and can have their challenges heard by those who can affect action. People from diverse cultures are connecting and sharing skills and their love of food. Access to transport will reduce social isolation for migrant workers and their families. We showcased the District to ambassadorial staff and Filipino migrants from across the South Island, potentially boosting tourism and economic development.
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Connecting and empowering migrants
What did we do? Created opportunities for people to increase their cultural competency How well did we do it?
• A Chamber of Commerce Skills Connect Team, seminar aimed was at increasing cultural awareness among local employers, led an Intercultural Seminar for Managers. Twenty managers and team leaders attended this. It was offered to others in leadership across local community and social sectors. • Facilitated provision of Tuahuriri Runanga local Maori history and protocol and Treaty of Waitangi training to facilitate bicultural understanding for Migrant Group members. An attending member has subsequently arranged for Work and Income staff to do the training too.
Is anyone better off?
20 Managers, leading over 300 Council staff, are better educated about what they can do to support migrant employees. Attendees increased their bicultural awareness and knowledge of local history, resulting in increased connection with this land and its cultural traditions.
What did we do? Facilitated opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity How well did we do it?
• Set up engaging multicultural displays, information, entertainment and food at prominent local events including: –– Rangiora Winter Festival (approx. 6,000 people) –– Waitangi Day Celebration in Kaiapoi (approx. 3,000 people) –– Rangiora Festival of Colour (approx. 6,000 people). • Kaiapoi Community Garden hosted an International Migrants Day Celebration, with around 40 people enjoying the opportunity to share ethnic food and to celebrate their cultural diversity. • Oxford International Evening hosted by Chinese and Zambian members of the Migrants Group, supported by Oxford Community Trust. Around 70 Oxford residents enjoyed food and entertainment from a variety of cultures. • Rangiora International Evening hosted by Rangiora Methodist Church and supported by Migrants Group members. Around 100 Rangiora residents, enjoyed food and entertainment provided by local people from a variety of cultures.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
Created opportunities for migrant communities to take a lead in welcoming new residents and celebrating cultural diversity.
Connecting and empowering migrants
What did we do? Facilitated opportunities for the stories of migrants to be told in a public domain How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Migrant initiatives received extensive coverage in local media including The News, Northern Outlook and Kaiapoi Advocate.
Celebration of our diverse cultures via various media with attention drawn to the challenges faced by our migrants.
• The Council website, community information digital screen and Facebook pages promote migrant initiatives.
What did we do? Facilitated local provision of information and support for migrants How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Rangiora Library held Monthly Drop-Ins for migrant residents. While numbers have been small, organisers wish to keep these in place, having found them helpful when they moved to the District.
Waimakariri migrants are better informed.
• Staff continue to maintain a Facebook page for local migrants, along with provision of up to date printed information.
Celebrating cultural diversity
Connecting migrants
into th community
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Inform Informing - education seminars Safe communities What did we do? Accessibility training for local decision-makers
Accessibility
PRIORITY
How well did we do it?
Facilitated an around town accessibility workshop. This involved 13 Council Planning and Building Unit staff, and elected members experiencing what it is like for a person with impaired sight, mobility and hearing to attempt to get around our town centres.
Is anyone better off?
Increased awareness of the challenges associated with disability is likely to translate into planning for a more accessible District.
The workshop was also offered to local business owners. Unfortunately this offer was declined.
What did we do? Facilitated the delivery of 14 Family Violence Education workshops PRIORITY
How well did we do it?
Over 600 local service providers, business owners, educators, local Council Managers and staff received professional development and/or general awareness raising education about Family Violence:
Family Violence Prevention
• Four Keeping Up Appearances workshops for local business owners, service groups and community organisations. • Eight professional development workshops were held for: –– Social and health sector providers (two workshops) –– Hurunui and Waimakariri District Council staff and management –– Lawyers –– Two local school principals and management clusters –– Oranga Tamariki staff- Death Review committee report • Two presentations for the general public by nationally recognised bereavement survivor, David White.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
On average, 90% of attendees said that the training had increased their knowledge and 85% had changed the way they view family violence. A well-trained workforce is able to provide a better service to victims and abusers to assist them to remove violence and fear from their lives. Increased awareness about family violence is part of the drive towards a positive social change against attitudes and behaviours that allow family violence to continue at such high rates in New Zealand
Informing - education seminars
What did we do? White Ribbon Campaign PRIORITY
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Family Violence Prevention
Held a District- wide White Ribbon week promotion at seven local high schools engaging young people in conversations about respectful relationships. What did we do? Other activity How well did we do it?
Oxford Community Trust and Police collaborated to deliver the Loves Me Not programme to 16 young people at Oxford Area School.
A number of referrals made where young people were experiencing the effects of family violence. Students were equipped with a range of tools and information about how they can recognise and support family violence victims.
What did we do? Living Well in Waimakariri Expo
Older Persons’ Safety and Wellbeing
PRIORITY
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Expo with guest speakers and displays related to older person’s wellbeing and safety. Over 300 attendees and 30 information displays. This included inviting an accredited exercise provider to present an segment, as well as a GP to advocate the importance of strength and balance exercise
Over 400 local older people have been informed and inspired about how to enjoy an active happy retirement. Giving back to the community as a means to increase wellbeing.
Facilitated a Sport Canterbury Strength and Balance Coordinator presentation to Grey Power, highlighting local classes.
PRIORITY
How well did we do it?
Child Safety
What did we do? Five Down the Back Paddock Rural Safety in Schools Education mornings Is anyone better off?
Delivered to over 1000 local children at local primary schools, these covered animals, poisons, fire, machinery, bike and home safety and security.
1000 local children now know what they can do to reduce the likelihood of injury on our farms and lifestyle blocks.
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Informing - Education Seminars What did we do? Two initiatives at Kidsfest 2019
Child Safety
Priority
How well did we do it?
• Teddy Stays out of Trouble child safety event, with over 200 attendees and nine agencies representing children. • The Great Fairy Hunt, with 440 entries completed and over 900 visitors to Kaiapoi Domain.
Is anyone better off?
Increased awareness of child safety and an opportunity to be physically active in the outdoors gained by attendees.
What did we do? Support for the provision of public information events on suicide and wellbeing
Suicide Prevention
Priority
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Two AEIOU Suicide Prevention education talks delivered to 30 people working in the recreation and community sectors. One sporting code has since introduced this as a mandatory component in its coach and manager training.
A large local sporting code has committed to raising institutional awareness around suicide prevention.
• Collaborated with the Canterbury Safety Charter to bring a version of AEIOU to the local construction and trade industries, through Toolbox Talks.
Local residents, volunteers and workers have access to education and resources to identify and assist those at risk of suicide.
• Facilitated a Wellbeing Walk – All Right Amble as part of The Breeze Walking Festival. This event involved a demonstration of how the Five Winning Ways to Wellbeing fits into daily life.
Promotion of the 5 Winning Ways presents residents with a range of tools to enhance their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing
What did we do? Migrant Education Priority
How well did we do it?
Migrants
A range of workshops and educational opportunities offered to educate and empower local migrants:
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• • • • • •
English language classes 3 x Employment Expos Cooking Classes Renting and Tenancy Workshop Maori protocol and Treaty workshops Cultural Competency Workshop .
Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
Migrants are better informed and empowered to integrate into the life of the community.
Informing - Billboards, Displays, Printed and On-Line Media What did we do? Family Violence Billboards How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Displayed in a variety of locations and contexts across our District.
Those in crisis know where to go to seek help access support.
What did we do? Suicide Prevention resources
The Community has easy access to information about supports, opportunities and events via a range of media.
How well did we do it?
• Produced and distributed wallet-sized cards to accompany AEIOU talks in the community. • Promoted contact information for Mental Health and Emergency support services via Facebook and at community events. • Distributed Mental Health Foundation Resources for Suicide Prevention, including Five Winning Ways. • Provided input into a new post-vention resource for secondary schools. • Continued to promote mental health awareness, suicide prevention and bereaved by suicide training opportunities offered by WAVES, ASIST, LeVa, GROW, MHERC, Lifekeepers, A-OK, SafeSide. What did we do? Chatter Community Information Newsletter How well did we do it?
• Distribution of over 4000 per month • Continued increase in contributors and readership. • Regular affirmation regarding the value of this publication.
ing
Promoting volunteer
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Informing - Billboards, Displays, Printed and On-Line Media
What did we do? General Community Information resource How well did we do it?
• Over 650 personalised Welcome to Waimakariri information bags given to new residents this year. Schoolchildren and special needs groups decorate these. These are distributed via residents groups, schools, libraries, real estate agents. • More than 5,000 Welcome Bags distributed over recent years. Demand continues to exceed supply. • A range of other widely distributed resources included: –– Volunteer Directory –– Recreational Sport and Hobbies directory –– Activities for Under 5s information resource –– Support for parents of pre-schoolers resource
Is anyone better off?
Over 650 new residents received an intentional Welcome to the District and have better knowledge of the opportunities and supports available to them. Residents and community agencies have easy access to information about supports, opportunities and events via a range of media.
–– Family Violence Support information resource –– Staying Socially Connected brochure detailing informal coffeestyle group operating across the District. • Ensured that Waimakariri-based exercise providers were included in the Active Canterbury Physical Activity Providers database, as a quick online search for local providers.
What did we do? Community pages on Council website How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Over 10,000 interactions with Community Team-related pages on the Council website.
Community groups and organisations have access to a free, uncomplicated means to increase promotional reach for their activities.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Informing - Social Media What did we do? Utilised social media to engage and inform the community about issues and opportunities that affect them How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Waimakariri Community Facebook Page has a following just below 3300 - up 10% from last year
The Community has easy access to information about supports, opportunities and events.
• WaiYouth and Youth Council’s pages had a combined following of 1120 – up 10% from last year • Waimakariri Migrants and Newcomers page has a following of 172 – up 40% from last year. The most popular posts related to events, volunteering opportunities, youth services and funding. A post on Men’s Health and Wellbeing attracted a reach of over 13,000 and a post encouraging people to get out and see the wintering over butterflies in Victoria Park had a reach of 19,300.
Groups and organisations have access to free promotion for their activities. Increased social media following shows a growing audience for our information
English language classes
Child safety
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Empower Empowering People and Organisations What did we do? LinC Project Steering Group involvement aimed at growing people who get things done for the betterment of the community Initiative
How well did we do it?
Through our role on the Regional Steering Group, we help secure these Waimakariri places on the LinC Community-led development course. • Pegasus Residents’ Group • Satisfy Food Rescue • Migrants Group • Community and Youth Development staff. We have also ensured that spaces be made available for emerging leaders in the Hurunui District.
Is anyone better off?
A number of referrals made where young people were experiencing the effects of family violence. Students were equipped with a range of tools and information about how they can recognise and support family violence victims.
What did we do? Supported Timebank Waimakariri with its launch, start up, funding acquisition and promotion
Capability Building
How well did we do it?
Timebank has 42 members, with 100 exchanges and 291 hours of skills and services undertaken in five months of operation.
Is anyone better off?
Residents have more opportunities to connect, share skills and save money.
What did we do? Support for a roll out of Mentor Driver Licencing programme How well did we do it?
Developed an action plan which was incorporated into an application to the Provincial Growth Fund for a fully resources programme targeting younger drivers. There is still some work to do to develop a programme specifically for migrants.
Is anyone better off?
People who are disadvantaged will have access to transport to connect them with others and with employment opportunities.
What Did We Do? Facilitated an increase in suitably trained and accredited providers of older persons’ physical activity programmes that increase strength, balance and wellbeing How well did we do it?
Promoted older persons’ peoples exercise provider training opportunities for local exercise providers.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
Strength and balance classes are a proven means to reduce falls risk in older people.
Empowering People and Organisations
What did we do? Supported the Community House Steering Group
Creation of shared spaces for community support providers
Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Secured funding for a feasibility study for a community house in Rangiora. • Facilitated opportunities to socialise the idea with local service providers and decision makers.
Shared service models provide easily accessible social and community support services, under one roof.
• Provided support in terms of identifying possibilities.
What did we do? The Community Team act as Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre Welfare role following an emergency
Support for Civil Defence
Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Supported a local flood emergency and attended local and regional Civil Defence welfare training and workshops. • Facilitated the incorporation of library staff to boost Civil Defence Welfare capacity.
The many relationships maintained by the Community to aid in disaster response and recovery planning.
What did we do? Engagement to inform planning Promoted and encouraged submission to wider community consultations
Facilitated groups and individuals to have their voice heard in local consultations
Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Engagement and consultation with over 500 stakeholders to inform the development of the Agefriendly Waimakariri Plan.
Communities we serve inform priority planning.
• Community Safety forum, engaged 45 key stakeholders in reviewing key priorities for International Safe Community Reaccreditation.
The views and needs of local residents are considered in local and regional decision making
• Youth Council supported ECan engagement with local youth around public transport review. • Widely promoted ECan public transport consultation and Annual Plan submission process.
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Empowering People and Organisations
What did we do? Supported or prepared funding applications for 13 groups or organisations Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Funders for Community Team facilitated activities included:
Funding acquired has meant that Waimakariri residents have access to a wide range of education, entertainment, health, social support and recreational opportunities.
• Rata Foundation • Ministry of Social Development • Department of Internal Affairs • Adult and Community Education funding • Rotary NZ
Supported and/or facilitated the acquisition of funding for community initiatives
• Pegasus Health • Community Boards • Creative Communities As for other Canterbury TLAs, we did not receive funding from Ministry of Youth Development in this financial year. However, this portfolio has adequate funding for the time being
g Facilitatin
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safer famil
Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Facilitated or endorsed successful funding applications resulting in over $200,000 in funding to support the following initiatives: • TimeBank Waimakariri • Newcomers, migrants and youth related initiatives • Family Violence Prevention • Suicide Prevention • Community House feasibility • Social Service Coordination • Hope Trust • Satisfy Food Rescue • Active Ageing • Age Friendly project • Kaiapoi Community Garden • You Me We Us Kaiapoi • Woodend Lions • Woodend Community Association
Empowering People and Organisations
Facilitating accessible spaces and places
What did we do? Support for the Waimakariri Access Group
Encouraged and supported an inclusive District
Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Linked the Waimakariri Access Group into consultations, contacts and opportunities that support better accessibility and inclusion for all Waimakariri Residents.
People with physical, mental health and intellectual impairments can better have their needs, concerns and aspirations supported and advocated for.
What did we do? Facilitated additional community-based support for those impacted by suicide Initiative
How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Capability Building
Supported the running of training for Waves Supporting Families, Bereaved by Suicide service volunteers in our District, including promotion and sourcing of an appropriately discrete venue.
People affected by suicide can more easily access support, reducing the likelihood that they will go on to take their own life.
What did we do? As part of Active Canterbury membership, supported Sport Canterbury in increasing the availability and uptake for older people participating in community-based strength and balance classes How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Encouraged local Steady as You Go providers to promote their roles to Age Concern so that they will continue to support the programme, with a recent lack of an exercise coordinator in that organisation. • Facilitated, through North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust, provision of a Rangiora circuit style class to attract older men into falls prevention exercise.
More strength and balance classes are available to local older people. These are a proven means to reduce falls risk.
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Key project
Key project – empowering local young people Partners: Compass FM, Torlesse Transport, Fools of Desire, Red Cross, 298 Youth Health, North Canterbury Community College, Regional Youth Councils, local secondary schools, Wellbeing North Canterbury Community Trust, various Waimakariri District Council teams and elected members, Rangiora Rotary, Civil Defence, Youth Voice Canterbury, and local youth groups.
Approach There are three arms to Council’s support for local Youth Development: 1. Youth Council: Supported by the Mayor and two District Councillors. Youth Council is a 16 member committee of Council. Its purpose is to: • Identify and communicate, to Council, the interests and preferences of the youth of Waimakariri • Advise the Mayor, Council and Community Boards, in relation to processes and mechanisms for engagement with young people in the Waimakariri District • Consider any regional issues raised by local young people
3. The Youth Development Coordinator: The aim of this role is to facilitate the Waimakariri Youth Development Strategy, supporting the Waimakariri Youth Council and WaiYouth Action groups and working with a range of local and regional stakeholders to:
• Engage with youth and the community through a range of platforms
• Increase the positive profile of young people in our District
• Advance the implementation of the Waimakariri Youth Development Strategy.
• Create mechanisms by which young people can have a greater voice in local decision-making
2. WaiYouth are about making things happen by young people for young people. That includes events and opportunities like workshops, talent competitions and skate jams. The Youth Development facilitator’s role supports a youth-led approach to this.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
• Support the development and delivery of youth-led initiatives • Identify and facilitate opportunities for the local youth sector.
Empowering local young people
Activities – empowering local young people What did we do? Youth-led events How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• Centre Stage Five
Youth Council and WaiYouth members learnt and applied skills in design, promotion, hosting, presenting, filming, seeking sponsorship and working collaboratively; while creating opportunities for young people to connect and to have more to do.
• All Right Amble (collaboration on Suicide Prevention) • Pizza in the Park recruitment event • Skate Jam • Winter Festival 2019 • All Night Party 2019.
What did we do? Leadership development opportunities How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
• WaiYouth representation at the Youth Voice #Activate Youth Connect Camp. • Team building day and induction for new Youth Council and WaiYouth members including a StrengthsFinder group coaching session, team-building activities, and planning/goalsetting opportunities.
Those involved in Youth Council and Youth Action Groups had a range of opportunities to develop their leadership, engagement, teamwork and planning skills.
• Dudley Park Redevelopment Project - funding and consultation stages.
Showcasing young talent
Developing young leaders
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Empowering local young people What did we do? Youth Voice applied to local decision-making How well did we do it?
• Youth Council were invited to input into: –– Recovery Plan for Kaiapoi Regeneration area –– ECan Bus Routes Proposal –– Rangiora Town Centre Strategy Review and structure planning –– Climate Change Policy –– Sustainability Strategy –– Waimakariri Civil Defence cadets programme scoping. • Youth Development representation on: –– Community Age-Friendly Group –– Youth Spaces Working Group –– Waimakariri Health Advisory Group –– Student Volunteer Army –– Community Boards Youth Grant panel. • Youth Council presented their Dudley Park Redevelopment Project at the Rangiora-Ashley Community Board. They subsequently presented a full proposal in person to the Annual Plan on their own project and on a number of other issues. • WaiYouth and Youth Council led effective engagement across all High Schools and via social media, resulting in an effective round of recruitment and strong membership across both groups.
Is anyone better off?
Local young people continue to have a voice across a number of different groups, and have been able to provide valuable feedback and direction to a number of proposals and policy reviews. Youth Council have seen a big uptake this year from Council staff and community groups seeking support and guidance in terms of youth engagement and youth participation in their projects. Youth Council was able to secure $20,000 towards their Dudley Park Project. Youth Council and WaiYouth recruitment drives attracted a good number of quality candidates
What did we do? Youth Participation How well did we do it?
Promotion via social media of a range of opportunities for young people to have their voice heard and be a part of making a change for themselves and other people: • Kaiapoi Community Planting Day • Employment and Education Expo • Pride Picnic Outing • YMCA Canterbury Youth Awards • Live For Tomorrow • - SendHelp.io - mental health service provision. 30
Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Is anyone better off?
Local young people are informed about opportunities to have their voice heard, to gain skills to help themselves and other young people through difficult times, and to give back to their community.
Empowering local young people What did we do? Support for the local Youth Services Sector How well did we do it?
Is anyone better off?
Reactivation, facilitation and support for the North Canterbury Youth Services Network has produced the following results: • The Network has settled into a quarterly meeting rhythm, with meetings taking place around the region. • The identification of Youth Spaces as a key area of focus. As a result, the Youth Spaces Working Group was established and supported in planning a broad community engagement to inform the development of a more youth-friendly district. Additional engagement and support for the local youth sector has included in the following: • The Youth Development Facilitator supported the large-scale Employment and Education Expo that took place in June, and is now part of the Waimakariri Youth Futures group. • Maintenance of connections with key community groups ensures that emerging issues are identified and included in priority planning. Examples of such engagement include: –– Youth groups/churches
The network has met in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Oxford so far this year, with the next meeting in Amberley. North Canterbury Youth Services Network is a mechanism for collaboration in the local youth sector, helping to identify and address some of the bigger issues. Connecting with key youth focussed groups on a semi-regular basis enables greater reach of our Youth Development work and lays the groundwork for more effective collaboration.
–– Regional Youth Organisations (ECan, Youth Voice, Canterbury Youth Workers Collective) –– High Schools –– 24/7 Youth Workers.
s of young people
Capturing the idea
Supporting youth-led initiative
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2019/2020: Looking Forward Key priorities as we look toward the coming financial year include: • Supporting the TimeBank Waimakariri initiative in the development of shared learning workshops These workshops will enable people to offer their skills to teach people something new, in return for TimeBank credits or to use their TimeBank credits to learn a new skill, without having to spend regular dollars. We think that this will be a greater leveller, in terms of making community education available to everyone and recognising that everyone has something to offer. • Implementation of the Waimakariri Youth Strategy 2018 Key issues like youth mental health, youth friendly spaces and access to transport could all be better addressed via collective input from that sector. These, and other key actions detailed in the Waimakariri Youth Strategy, will be a priority for our Youth Development Facilitator over the coming year.
• Facilitating the establishment of a steering group to guide the oversight and implementation of key priorities in the Age-friendly Waimakariri Plan This will include developing Terms of Reference, recruiting and onboarding appropriate stakeholders supporting them to develop a framework for the regular progress review of new and emerging priorities, in line with the Age-friendly Waimakariri Plan. • Facilitating an empowerment-based approach to addressing family violence, suicide and alcohol-related harm Educating and empowering people so that these issues are everyone’s business. Most of all, we want to continue to support and celebrate the great things that happen when groups of passionate, creative and committed people come together.
We look forward to working with you!
• Continuing to work with neighbourhoods Community Development staff will continue to support residents groups, developers and North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support to play an active role in welcoming and connecting new or socially isolated residents into the life of the community. • Continuing to empower migrants to build a more welcoming and inclusive District by facilitating a migrant-led approach celebrating cultural diversity and connecting and empowering our migrant residents. The aim is to remove some of the barriers so that they can more readily participate in our communities.
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Community Team - A Year in Review 2018/2019
Tessa Sturley Community Team Manager
Acknowledgements Without the support of the many individuals, businesses and organisations that have generously given their skills, talents, time and resources none of the initiatives detailed in this report would have been possible. We are most grateful to be working with such a passionate and motivated community. We would particularly like to acknowledge our principle funders, who not only provided financial resourcing for our work, but also gave their advice and expertise as needed: • Rata Foundation • Department of Internal Affairs, Community, and Office of Ethnic Communities • Ministry of Social Development, including Office for Seniors • Ministry of Youth Development • Creative Communities. And, of course, the many business partners detailed in this report, who provided financial and in-kind support to help make so many community conceived initiatives happen.
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Phone 0800 965 468 waimakairiri.govt.nz
190822117654
215 High Street Private Bag 1005 Rangiora 7440, New Zealand